The circus comes to Delavan

The Carson & Barnes Circus gave two performances July 28 at Lake Lawn Airport as part of Delavan's Heritage Fest.

Heather Noel Nelson

Katie Boardman of Long Grove, Ill., giggles at the munching llamas and alpacas.

Heather Noel Nelson

Francesca Cavalini performs "I am the Circus," while members of the audience join in a parade as part of the act

Heather Noel Nelson

Michelle McGinnis, 12, of Evergreen Park, Ill., and Eli Stickney, 9, of Delavan, took their turn for a ride on Viola, an elephant traveling with the Carson & Barnes Circus.

Heather Noel Nelson

A performer in the Carson & Barnes Circus pauses in her act of juggling up to 50 hula hoops through an array of spins and twirls.

Heather Noel Nelson

Artists in Native American costumes dangled from the ceiling of the tent and danced mid-air in the spotlights.

Heather Noel Nelson

A clown turns on the tears during a musical number in the show.

Heather Noel Nelson

High-flying trapeze artists showed off their skills leaping and flipping back and forth.

Wimpy the Clown, also known as Jarret McKett, 14, 14, of Monroe, and a member of Cousin Otto's Clown Alley of Delavan, introduced his pet "cat" to, from left, Addison Halbesma, 2; Isabel Halbesma,6; and Sarah Halbesma, of East Troy.